A method and system performs antenna tuning using detected changes in antenna self-capacitance in a wireless communication device. A modem detects changes in antenna self-capacitance by utilizing multiple antenna elements. The modem determines a current antenna loading condition using the detected changes in antenna self-capacitance. The modem determines appropriate tuning states for each antenna matching and tuning circuit (AMTC) associated with a respective antenna element. In order to determine the appropriate tuning states, the modem utilizes pre-established antenna self-capacitance information which is mapped to antenna tuning states. The antenna tuning states which are respectively mapped to pre-established antenna self-capacitance are empirically pre-determined by correlating antenna self-capacitance changes to antenna impedance changes. The modem is thus able to change the tuning states of multiple tunable matching circuits and perform antenna tuning using (a) detected real-time changes in antenna self-capacitance and (b) pre-established mappings of antenna self-capacitance and antenna tuning states.